Difference between revisions of "Civil Defense Siren"
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==Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren== | ==Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren== | ||
| + | The Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren was conceived by the Chrysler Motor Company and Bell Telephone Laboratories and began being distributed in 1942. This is an interestingly antiquated idea due to the fact that a communication company is literally collaborating with manufacturer of high power engines to create a high-reach communication system. According to the companies own specifications the siren ways 5,543 pounds, uses a v-8 engine and cost $5,500. According to The Washington Post the siren registered a high of 138 decibels. 200 decibels will break your eardrums. Although during certain tests the claims that the siren could be heard up to 25 miles away fell short. There is no doubt that this behemoth machine epitomizes the qualities and intentions of the civil defense siren. The main objectives of the civil defense siren would be to alert and grab attention in a jarring way, to express the immediacy of danger, and to span the reach of the message as far as possible. While the Victory Siren is quite capable of fulfilling these objectives, especially in comparison to other models, it falls short in its ability to convey its message in a truly widespread manner. In this sense, television and radio far outdo the Victory siren. However, an interesting observation to make is that while the government is currently able to reach every household with a television or radio using the Emergency Broadcast system, the ability to reach those not ‘tuned in’ has died along with the civil defense siren. | ||
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[[Image:NoiseMaking.jpg|thumb|left|Chrysler's Air-Raid Siren Hits New High In Sustained Mechanical Noise Making]] | [[Image:NoiseMaking.jpg|thumb|left|Chrysler's Air-Raid Siren Hits New High In Sustained Mechanical Noise Making]] | ||
Revision as of 14:27, 31 October 2007
Contents
Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren
The Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren was conceived by the Chrysler Motor Company and Bell Telephone Laboratories and began being distributed in 1942. This is an interestingly antiquated idea due to the fact that a communication company is literally collaborating with manufacturer of high power engines to create a high-reach communication system. According to the companies own specifications the siren ways 5,543 pounds, uses a v-8 engine and cost $5,500. According to The Washington Post the siren registered a high of 138 decibels. 200 decibels will break your eardrums. Although during certain tests the claims that the siren could be heard up to 25 miles away fell short. There is no doubt that this behemoth machine epitomizes the qualities and intentions of the civil defense siren. The main objectives of the civil defense siren would be to alert and grab attention in a jarring way, to express the immediacy of danger, and to span the reach of the message as far as possible. While the Victory Siren is quite capable of fulfilling these objectives, especially in comparison to other models, it falls short in its ability to convey its message in a truly widespread manner. In this sense, television and radio far outdo the Victory siren. However, an interesting observation to make is that while the government is currently able to reach every household with a television or radio using the Emergency Broadcast system, the ability to reach those not ‘tuned in’ has died along with the civil defense siren.
Video Links:
Robbie Coltrane and Don Garlits demonstrate a Chrysler-Bell Victory Siren in their Garage; June 5, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEfYnByuTQ0
From Universal Newsreel; Produced from 1929 - 1967; Presented twice a week in local movie theaters; September 23, 1956; (Civil Defense Coverage Starts at 1:17)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzHack1-ays
The Audile Mayor La Guardia
The Civil Defense Siren in Cold War Culture
http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/sounds/attkwarn.mp3
